Methods and compositions to monitor and control termites

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions for monitoring termites which comprise a substantially nontoxic, highly palatable cellulose source, which is effective for an early diagnosis of termite activity or termite infestation, an exogenous nitrogen source utilizable by termites and optionally, water and a suitable binding medium. The present invention further provides compositions for controlling termites which contain pesticidal agents in combination with the aforesaid monitoring composition. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of monitoring the presence of termites and controlling termites if infestation has occurred.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition for controlling termites comprising a pesticidally effective amount of a pesticide and a monitoring composition; wherein the monitoring composition comprises, on a weight basis, about 20% to about 95% of a substantially nontoxic, highly palatable cellulose source for monitoring termites selected from the group consisting of decayed birch, partially decayed birch, processed cellulose, purified cellulose and a combination thereof, said cellulose source being effective for an early diagnosis of termite activity or termite infestation, about 0.25% to about 5% of an exogenous nitrogen source utilizable by termites selected from the group consisting of urea and uric acid, 0% to about 75% water and 0% to about 1% of a binding medium. 
     
     
       2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the cellulose source comprises processed or purified cellulose in combination with decayed birch or partially decayed birch. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to claim 2 wherein the pesticide is a termiticide, an insect growth regulator or a pathogen. 
     
     
       4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein the termiticide is hydramethylnon. 
     
     
       5. A composition for monitoring termites comprising, on a weight basis, about 20% to about 95% of a substantially nontoxic, highly palatable cellulose source for monitoring termites selected from the group consisting of decayed birch, partially decayed birch, processed cellulose, purified cellulose and a combination thereof, said cellulose source being effective for an early diagnosis of termite activity or termite infestation, about 0.25% to about 5% of an exogenous nitrogen source utilizable by termites selected from the group consisting of urea and uric acid, 0% to about 75% water and 0% to about 1% of a binding medium, wherein the cellulose source comprises purified cellulose and the purified cellulose is microgranular or microcrystalline cellulose. 
     
     
       6. A composition for monitoring termites comprising, on a weight basis, about 20% to about 95% of a substantially nontoxic, highly palatable cellulose source for monitoring termites selected from the group consisting of decayed birch, partially decayed birch, processed cellulose, purified cellulose and a combination thereof, said cellulose source being effective for an early diagnosis of termite activity or termite infestation, about 0.25% to about 5% of an exogenous nitrogen source utilizable by termites selected from the group consisting of urea and uric acid, 0% to about 75% water and 0% to about 1% of a binding medium, wherein the cellulose source comprises decayed birch or partially decayed birch in combination with processed cellulose or purified cellulose. 
     
     
       7. The monitoring composition according to claim 6 wherein the birch is white birch. 
     
     
       8. The monitoring composition according to claim 7 comprising, on a weight basis, about 15% to about 40% of purified cellulose, about 1% to about 5% of decayed white birch or partially decayed white birch, about 0.5% to about 5% of the nitrogen source and about 50% to about 75% water. 
     
     
       9. A composition for monitoring termites consisting of, on a weight basis, about 20% to about 95% of a substantially nontoxic, highly palatable cellulose source for monitoring termites selected from the group consisting of decayed birch, partially decayed birch, processed cellulose, purified cellulose and a combination thereof, said cellulose source being effective for an early diagnosis of termite activity or termite infestation, about 0.25% to about 5% of an exogenous nitrogen source utilizable by termites selected from the group consisting of urea and uric acid, 0% to about 75% water and 0% to about 1% of a binding medium. 
     
     
       10. The monitoring composition according to claim 1 wherein the cellulose source is purified cellulose and the binding medium is agar, an agar/water gel mixture or lignin sulfonate. 
     
     
       11. The monitoring composition according to claim 1 consisting of, on a weight basis, about 20% to about 45% of purified cellulose, about 0.5% to about 5% of the nitrogen source and about 50% to about 75% water.